The Traditional Medicine Practices Council (TMPC) has revealed that over 521,000 traditional and alternative medicine practitioners operating in the country are operating without proper registration or licence.
According to TMPC Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Michael Kyerematen, of about 95,000 traditional and alternative medicine practitioners and institutions registered in the council’s database, only 15 to 20 per cent are registered, licensed and operating in good standing in the country, reports graphic.com.gh.
The report added that practitioners and facilities operating illegally account for more than 80 percent of the local traditional and alternative medicine industry.
Dr Kyerematen expressed concern about the frequency with which unlicensed practitioners advertise on radio and television to promote their facilities and products.
“Currently, in Ghana, over 60-70% of the population use traditional or alternative medicine centres for their primary health care before going to other allopathic centres for emergencies, creating a growing problem. You will be aware that the lives of average Ghanaians are being put at risk as many mushroom clinics, hospitals and practitioners without the requisite qualifications are dominating the airwaves. The uncontrollable proliferation of unlicensed practitioners is a threat to national security as it puts at risk the lives of many Ghanaians who seek medical care from these mushroom establishments and practitioners,” he said.
He added that TMPC had launched an outreach campaign to clean up the system and streamline services for health workers.
“We have taken steps to list all accredited practitioners and their facilities on our website and in major newspapers every month so that Ghanaians are informed before purchasing any products or entering any facility,” he explained.
The traditional and alternative medicine industry comprises health food stores, spas, gyms and other wellness centres, massage parlours, healing camps, spiritual healers, herbalists, medical herbalists, training institutes, homeopathic clinics, chiropractic clinics, acupuncture clinics and centres, Ayurvedic clinics, naturopathic clinics and organic shops that offer traditional and alternative medicine.
This is regulated by section 38 of the Traditional Medicine Practice Act 575 of 2000 in accordance with the Ministerial Policy and Administrative Guidelines in the Regulation of Complementary and Alternative Medicines of 2010.
JKB/AE
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